I was pleased to hear that Barack Obama and his incoming Administration is going to quickly push for a delay to the conversion or transition to digital TV. I think this is good for American and the millions of Americans who are unable to afford a new digital television, cable or satellite.
The economy has hit us all hard and having additional time will be a benefit to all.
I am one of those Americans who still uses over the air tv and recently requested a converter box coupon and have yet to receive it. Unless it comes in soon, and there isn’t a delay, I will be without a television. While I don’t watch much, I do believe that I should get more time and not be without access to the world of new and entertainment.
I only recently started to see television commercials pushing and informing us that the transition or conversion was upon us. The industry waited much too long to start an all out information push. Part of that I believe was an effort to push people to cable and satellite.
Congress also underestimated the number of Americans wanting help with a converter box. I found it interesting the number of 2nd, 3rd and 4th televisions that many Americans had. Further when you consider that cable and satellite tv companies charge for each additional tv (especially for cabling and equipment), some households use over the air and cable/satellite, because of the additional expense.
I am hopeful that the Congress will delay the transition. While the current talk is for 4 to 5 months. I would like to see the delay go until the end of 2009, with some milestones in place, with regards to the number of people who have access to the new digital signal. We need the industry to make proactive efforts which to date has been limited.
For those looking for more digital tv information, resources and equipment, check out antennatv.org. If your looking for a new tv, why not buy a new energy efficient TV? Watch television and save energy.
Tags: Cable TV, Congress, Digital Television Transition, Digital TV, FCC, Over the Air Television, Presi, President Obama, Presidential Transition, Satellite
